The Pokemon Buying and selling Card Recreation has quietly reworked into one thing its creators by no means supposed: a speculative asset class dominated by adults trying to find revenue whereas youngsters battle to discover a single pack on retailer cabinets. The resale market has climbed so excessive that the newest set, Phantasmal Flames, had a uncommon Charizard illustration valued at greater than $800 earlier than anybody had even pulled one from a pack — a pack that retails for about $5.3.Ben Thyer, proprietor of BathTCG in Tub, has watched his store turn out to be a flashpoint. His employees have obtained threats from prospects, and he is heard reviews of assaults and robberies at different shops. He stopped promoting complete packing containers of booster packs and now limits particular person pack purchases. On Amazon, prospects can solely enter raffles for the possibility to purchase playing cards in any respect.The Pokemon Firm printed 10.2 billion playing cards within the 12 months ending March 2025 and nonetheless can not meet demand. The corporate shared a seven-month-old assertion saying it’s printing “at most capability.” Thyer sees indicators of a correction — costs on singles and sealed merchandise are falling — however expects renewed frenzy round Pokemon’s thirtieth anniversary in early 2026.
